Midway through the IFSC Climbing World Championships Bern 2023, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) and its Athletes’ Commission organised the first-ever IFSC Athletes’ Forum, an opportunity for climbers and paraclimbers to gather and address some of the most important topics currently in the sport.
Moderated by long-time IFSC consultant Peter Stafford of MSM PR & Communications based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Forum was broken down into three topics.
The opening topic, named “What is an Athletes’ Commission?”, featured IFSC Athletes’ Commission President Shauna Coxsey and Vice President Sean McColl, along with International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Department member Arthur Milroy.
A longer session centred on the health and wellbeing of the athletes followed, with Tokyo 2020 Olympians Kyra Condie of the USA and Alannah Yip of Canada joining Coxsey and McColl on stage.
The discussion that followed saw the participation of Bern 2023 medallists Jakob Schubert of Austria, Oriane Bertone of France, and Alexander Megos of Germany, along with many other climbers and paraclimbers from around the world.
USA’s Colin Duffy said: “I think it was great. I came to be informed about what is going on within the Federation. This should set a precedent for more events like this in the future.”
“I was very happy to be at the Forum. It was very interesting to hear opinions from other athletes. Everybody is so involved, and it’s very good,” added Bertone.
“It was great to have all the athletes’ voices out there, having a space where we can all share what we’re thinking. Listening to everyone was just great,” commented Oceania Mackenzie of Australia.
The IFSC Athletes’ Forum concluded with a presentation by IFSC Sports Operations Manager Hae Sol Han, providing a thorough update on the road to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The IFSC Athletes' Forum in Bern, SwitzerlandPhoto: Jan Virt/IFSC
